Bathing device



Patented Aug. 6, 1929.

FRED M. RICHEY AND FREDERICK MCQU'ISTON, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

BATHING DEVICE.

Application filed February 2a, 192 Serial No. 170,510.

This invention relates to a bathing device and particularly adapted for use in bathing babies. Certain difficulties arise in the bat-hing of babies due to the necessity of handling the child with great care. These difficulties are accentuated by reason of the fact that ordinary bathing devices have not been disposed at a convenient elevation at which to handle the child. Cerain other difficulties have arisen through lack of a suitable supporting device for holding the child during drying.

o provide a bathing device which obviates these difliculties by affording a tub of suitable dimensions disposed at a convenientelevation, and a drying table upon which the child. may be placed during drying. The convenience of our device is increased by reason of its adjustability to meet particular local conditions. The device may be collapsed to fold into small dimensions when not in use.

In the accompanying drawings illustral; ing the present preferred embodiment of our invention,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the device opened for use.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device shown in Fig 1,.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line III III of Fig. l to enlarged scale.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line IVIV of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line VV of Fig. 3.

Fig. (3 is a plan view partly broken away, showing the construction of the drying table.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the table shown in Fig. (3.

Fig. 8 is a section on the line VIII-- VIII of Fig. 7.

9 shows a broken away, of a table.

Fig. 10 is an end shown in Fig. 9; and

Fig. 11 is a detail view of the locking means for holding the tub in operative position.

toferring to the illustrated embodiment (Figs. 1 and 2) there is shown a bathing device comprising a stationary frame 2 having a tub 3 mounted therein. The tub 3 is made of water proof fabric so as to be side elevation, partly guard for the drying elevation of the guard collapsible and is mounted upon a framework 4 adapted. to move from the horizontal position illustrated to an upright position indicated at 4'. The side bars 4 of the fran'ieiwn'k ei slide upon rollers pivoted on the stationary frame 2. The end of the movable frame 1} adjacent the station ary frame 2 is constrained to move along guide rods (3 lying substantially vertically on. the frame 52, the mo able frame 4; beii'ig provided with rollers 7 (Fig. 5) which en.- gage the opposite faces of the guide rods (5.

The tub 3 maintaiiiied in horizontal position by gravity, the supporting rollers 5 being disposed considerably closer to the guided end of the frame 4i than to the free end thereof, so that the frame fulcrums about the rollers 5 and. bears upwardly against stops 8 (Fig. 3, Fig. 11) at the upper end of the guide rods 6. In. order to obviate any possibility of the tub collapsing and falling into an upright position, we provide a pair of locking pins 9 which protrude through the stationary frame 2 and engage extensions 9 to the side bars 4. As shown 111 Fig 11, locking pins 9 are normally urged toward the movable frame by means of a spring 6" operating between a collar on the pin 9 l a plate 10 by which the locking pin a....:embly is mounted on the frame 2. The upper edge 9 of the extension 9 is beveled to push the pin to one side as the tub frame fl is swung into horizontal position. The springs (3 act to drove the pins 6 into suitable receiving holes 9 in the extension 9 when the frame 4: is horizontal.

The tub 3 is preferably formed of waterpl'oofed cloth, but may oliiviously be constructed of any suitable flexible material capable of being collapsed into a relatively small space. A drain 3 facilitates emptying of the tub.

A. drying table 11 n'iovably mounted in the stationary frame 2 so that the table may be swung into horizontal position (Figs. 1 and 2) above the tub 3. The drying table comprises a framework 12, formed of metal or wood, adapted to tightly engage a fabric head 13 and hold the same taut. The fabric head 13 which may be light canvas, is cut at the corners, indicated at 13, to insure a smooth fit when the head is drawn tight. The head 13 is strained. by pressing a close fitting inner frame 14. upwardly inside the outer frame 12 by means of wing nuts 10 threaded on bolts 15 The bolts 15 pass through the outer framework 12, and the wing nuts 15 engage angle pieces 16 which rest upon the inner frame 14. The fabric head 13 is gripped between the outer frame 12 and the inner frame 14,-. Suitable wires 17 contained within a fold at the edge of the fabric hold the head against slipping. The outer bent portions of the angle pieces 16 lie against the outer frame 12 so that the wing nuts 15 tend to swing the angle pieces upwardly as shown in Fig. 7.

- The table 11 is mounted to slide upon rollers 19 (Fig. 3) which cooperate with a groove 20 within the outer frame 12 of the table. The rollers 19 are held in spaced re lationship by links 21 which are pivotally held to the stationary frame 2 by means other links 22. The table 11, therefore, may slide freely relatively to the frame 2 during the transfer from a vertical to a hori .al position. The table is maintained from accldental displacement by means of straps 23 fastened to the inner frame 1a, the straps being adapted to engage angle pieces 24 fastened to the stationary frame As shown in Fig. 3, the table may be brought into horizontal position and drawn forward so that the inner frame 14 rests upon the pieces 24 while the strap 23 engages the opposite side of said angle pieces At the same time the remote end 25 of the table engages a cross bar 26 on the stationary frame 2. This motion is permitted by reason of the pivotal mounting of the links 21 on the pivot links 22 and the cooperation of the rollers 19 with the grooves 20.

The table 11 is held in horizontal position by reason of the supporting angle 2% being disposed at short distance from the end of the frame so that gravity holds the table. The supporting angles 2%. act as fulcrums, while the remote end 25 presses upwardly i against a cross bar 26 on the frame 2.

In order to disengage the table and lower the same, the table (Fig. is slid along the supports 2d, while the rollers 19 move along the corresponding groove 20, a sufiicient distance to permit the straps 23 to clear the angles 24. V'Vhen this has been done, the table may be simply permitted to slide by gravity into a Vertical position, the rollers 19 moving along the grooves 20.

As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the tahle 11 may be covered with a sheet of wood 18, i desired. The drying table thus formed may be used in conjunction with an ordinary bathtub by removing screws 22 (Fig. 3) and taking the drying table entirely out of the stationary frame 2. The drying table with a flat surface forms a convenient platform which may be placed across an ordinary tub.

1n order to prevent the child from falling or rolling from the dressing or drying platform, we provide a guard which surrounds the platform. This guard ron'iprises a co lapsible frame formed by iosts 2T pivoted to members 27 adapted to lie on top of the table 11, the posts being intrr-co1merited. by means of rods 9 and 29 which support fabric walls 30. The rods 28 terminate in eyes 28 which surround rods 29, wlu-reby the rods 28 are movable augularly with respect to the posts 27. The guard is held rigid by means of pins 31 which pass through the posts 27 and engage augulurly bent ends of the rods 28. Ry referring to Fig. 9, it will be seen that the pins 31 cffectively prevent the framework from rollaps g toward the right as viewed in the drawing. Collapsing toward the loft is prevented by blocks 33 n'lounted. on the frame 27.

Although the side walls of the guard are collapsible, the f ant and back walls are of fixed dimensions and represent plane faces whether the guard is upright or rollapsted. The upper 01 of the front wall 39 is supported by roes 2E) and the lower edge is held by rods 31 which pass through the members 27.

The side walls 30 of the guard are supported along the top by the rods 28, and are stretched out to the full height by rods 35 which are attached to the lower edge of the fabric and are arranged to slide freely brt-ween the posts 27.

E ebclts 36 are attached. to the roar of he frame, these eye-bolts being adapted to lide along guide rods 37 which extend along the back of tie frame 2 and curve over the top thereof to finally torminalr in a top member 2 of the stationary frame. The guide rods 37 automatically position the guard correctly upon the table when the guard pushed into contact with the ta le, In order to place the guard out of the way, the pins 31 are simply withdrawn and the framework collapsed toward the back of the table. The whole guard may then be slid along the guide rods 37 into the dotted line position of Fig. 2. The guard :uzpportod the back of the frame 2 by means of a hook 258 which engages the cros meuibor Ill. of the guard frame, a suitable opening 2-39 being provided in the front wall to autom- IHOClSLG the hook.

In order to maintain the device in proper ition, we provide hook-like "()ds '10 which through suitable chun g blorks 11 attached to the frame by means of wing nuts The rods 40 may be sdd through the clamping blocks 1-1 to any desired position and may be maintained there by tightening the wing nuts -12. The rods 10 are braced at any desired angle by mrans of bracing rods 13 hinged to the hooked rods at 1 1 and attached to the frame 2 by means surlll)

1 Ill) of wing nuts 45, the wing nuts being effective for clamping the ends of the rods 1-3 at any point along suitable guides 46 extending along the frame 2. As shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, the hook rods may be positioned to engage the edge of an ordinary bathtub when the bathing device is resting on the bottom thereof. The full lines in Fig. 2 show the rods 40 extended to act as a brace against the floor when the bathing device is used apart from any article of furniture, or fixture.

A towel. rack 47 is conveniently mounted on the side of the frame 2. Receptacles 4:8 and 49 mounted on opposite sides of the stationary frame 2 provide convenient places for depositing toilet articles out of reach of the child.

Thus we provide an improved bathing device adapted for bathing babies, and afford ing a tub of suitable dimensions and disposed at a convenient elevation. \Ve further afford a bathing device provided with a drying table having a guard thercaround the table disposed adjacent the tub.

Further advantages accrue to our invention by reason of the provision of a collapsible bathing device capable of being folded to occupy a comparatively small space.

The bathing device is adapted. for use in conjunction with a bathtub or the like, or may be used apart from such fixture. The sliding portions of Our folding bathing device have been illustrated and described as equipped with rollers. This feature has been found desirable in that it makes for ease of operation and permits accurate alignment of the various parts.

\Vhile we have illustrated and described the present preferred embodiment of our in vention, it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, since the drying table, guard Walls, and tub may be formed of various materials and the details of construction may be varied from that described within the scope of the following claims:

lVe claim:

1. A bathing device including a tub, a swingable support therefor, and guides slidably cooperating with the support and disposed in a plane intersecting the plane of movement of the support.

2. A. bathing device including a tub, a swingable frame therefor, guides for said frame slidably cooperating therewith and disposed in a plane intersecting the plane of movement of the frame, and means for locking the frame in a predetermined position.

8. A bathing device including a tub, a movable frame to which the tub is attached, guides defining the motion of one side of the lOVttblG frame and disposed in a plane intersecting the plane of movement of the frame, and means for locking the frame when the tub is in operative position.

4. A bathing device including a tub, a movable frame to which the tub is attached, guides defining the motion of one side of the movable frame and disposed in a plane intersecting the plane of movement of the frame, means for locking the frame when the tub is in operative position, and bearing m ans adapted to support the frame.

5. A bathing device including a movable frame for a tub, said frame being slidable and swingable from a substantially horizontal operative position to a substantially upright position.

6. A bathing device including a stationary frame, a tub, a support for said tub movable relatively to the stationary frame, and a drying table slidable and swingable to a position over the tub.

7 A bathing device including a relatively narrow upstanding frame, a tub secured to the frame and movable from a vertical position on the frame to a horizontal. position at one side thereof, and adjustable foldable bracing means extending under the tub when in horizontal position.

8. A bathing device including a relatively narrow upstanding frame, a tub secured to the frame and movable from a vertical position on the frame to a horizontal position at one side thereof, adjustable bracing means extending under the tub when in horizontal position, said bracing means including hooklike rods adjustable with respect to said frame, bracing means for said rods, and means for locking the rods and bracing means in fixed position. i

9. A bathing device including a relatively narrow fran'ie, a tub and a drying table lying substantially face to face in. the frame when in inoperative position, said tub and table being movable to horizontal. position the one being disposed above the other.

10. A bathing device including a relatively narrow frame, a tub, a drying table, said tub and drying table lying alongside one another in substantially parallel planes in the frame when in inoperative position and being movable to horizontal positions wherein the one is disposed above the other, and a guard for the drying table.

11. In a bathing device having a drying table, a collapsible guard for said table, said guard con'iprising substantially rigid spaced apart frame members, and fabric walls connecting the frame members.

12. In a bathing device, a stationary frame, a drying table movable relatively thereto, guide means defining the motion of said movable table, and means cooperating with one side thereof only for holding the table in horizontal position.

13.111 a bathing device, a

stationary frame,

a tub, a supporting frame for said tub, the supporting frame being movable from substantially a vertical position to a substantially horizontal operative position, a plurality of guides constraining the motion of one side of the frame, rollers cooperating with the guides to define the motion of the frame, and bearing rollers adapted to guide the movable frame and support the same in horizontal position.

' 14. In a bathing device, a stationary frame, a tub, a supporting frame for said tub, the supporting frame being movable from substantially a vertical position to a substantially horizontal operative position, a plurality of guides constraining the motion of one side of the frame, rollers cooperating with the guides to define the motion of the frame, bearing rollers adapted to guide the movable frame and support the same in hori zontal position, and means for locking the movable frame in horizontal position.

15. In a bathing device, a stationary frame, a drying table movable relatively thereto, and means defining the motion of said table, said means including a groove on the table, a plurality of spaced rollers adapted to cooperate with the groove, and a link pivoted to the stationary frame and pivotally supporting the spaced rollers.

16. In a bathing device having a drying table, a collapsible guard adapted for use with said table, the guard comprising a plurality of supporting posts pivoted to a frame, a plurality of rods connecting the posts, fabric walls supported by the connecting rods, and means holding the rods and posts in rigid relationship when the guard is in operative position.

17 For use with a bathing device, a drying table comprising a frame, a second frame insertable in the first mentioned frame, means for pressing the frames into mutual engagement, and a head adapted to be held between the frames and to form a table top.

18. In a bathing device having a stationary frame and a drying table, a collapsible guard adapted for use with said table, the guard comprising a plurality of supporting posts pivoted to the frame, a plurality of rods connecting the posts, fabric walls supported by the connecting rods, and means holding the rods and posts in substantially rigid relationship when the guard is in operative position, a plurality of guides on said stationary frame, and means cooperating with the guides to conform the motion of the guard thereto when the guard is moved from a position of cooperation with the drying table to an inoperative position on the stationary frame.

19. In a bathing device, a stationary frame, a drying table movable relatively thereto, means defining the motion of said table, said means including a groove on the table, a member adapted to cooperate with the groove, and a link pivoted to the stationary frame rotatable supporting the member which cooperates with the groove.

20. A bathing device comprising a frame having bathing means thereon, and bracing means connected to the frame and adapted to cooperate for bracing the same with a stationary support at various heights with respect to the frame.

21. A bathing device comprising a frame having bathing means thereon, and bracing means connected to the frame and adjustable to engage a stationary support at various heights with respect to the frame.

22. A bathing device comprising a frame having a tub and a drying table connected thereto, the tub and drying table lying substantially at the same height when in in operative position and being movable respectively to operative positions at different heights.

23. A bathing device comprising a frame having a tub and a drying table connected thereto, the tub and drying table lying side by side at substantially the same height when in inoperative position and being movable respectively to operative positions one above the other.

24-. In a bathing device, a frame, bathing means thereon, bracing means connected to the frame and extending outwardly there from, and means connected to the frames and to the bracing means whereby the position of the bracing means may be adjusted to enable such means to engage a desired support.

25. In a bathing device, a frame, bathing means thereon, a bracing arm connected to the frame and extending outwardly therefrom, and a link connected to the frame and to the arm intermediate its extremities and adjustable to vary the position of the arm with respect to the fr: e.

In testimony we have hereunto set our hands.

" FRED M. RICHEY.

FREDERICK MCQUISTON. 

